Giving up sugar. No, really.

It's no so big or obvious. I'm not enormous, or even that unhealthy. But I do eat sugar every day, and I crave it.

I've kidded myself for a long time that because most of the sugar I consume is in from-scratch food, homemade icecream, bikkies, slices – that it's not unhealthy.

I don't drink soft drink, or even fruit juice, I don't eat sweets or any processed sweet food.

I've got a positive and, I think, healthy body image.

But all this is smoke and mirrors.

I eat too much sugar. And if I don't stop, I'll be heavier in three months time than I am now.

And so I'm stopping.

Cold turkey. From tomorrow. For two weeks: ZERO sugar.

We'll still do Slice of Wednesday but we might mix it up and make it savoury?

I was going to post the recipe for this fabulous cookies and cream icecream tonight. But how about we keep that one up our sleeve and make it again in a months time, as a special treat, when my sister arrives on a visit from Hong Kong?

Maybe this is disappointing because you tune in here for the lucious sweet things.

Or maybe you'll be interested in following along with the sugar-free revolution in this house?

I've heard that after you crack through the first week that you can find yourself feeling wonderful, and you won't know yourself without the sugar cravings. Hope that's true.

If you have any tips I'd love to hear them. I'm not known for my excellent self discipline and I'm going to be very honest here, you can hold me accountable!

In your eye, apple pie.

xxx

19 Comments on “Giving up sugar. No, really.”

Ange

November 20, 2011 at 10:07 pm

Wow you are committed. I am guessing no sugar means no alcohol? At this time of year I would struggle to give up either. Go girl.

Sugar Addict

Noooooo!
Well actually thats just because I love slice of wednesday and i too am a sugar addict.
I went no-sugar recently (but one taste and i’m off the wagon – still off now).

After the first couple of days of feeling terrible, it was great! Some tips – be prepared for what to do when the cravings strike. Drink a glass of water if you have one. (your water needs will increase too) Have good snacks ready on hand. Grapes are a good cheat.

nell

Sonja

November 20, 2011 at 10:46 pm

Good on you, I am on a similar journey, but I am also giving wheat, meat and most dairy. 🙁 Have you tried a completely natural sweetener called Stevia? It’s plant based and you can bake with it too. I love it! Check your health food store, or online. Good luck!

No alcohol, but thats not really a stretch. Its going to be the no square(s) of dark chocolate at 3.30pm (and the one(s) at 7.30pm) thats the challenge. Actually Im talking rubbish. The whole idea is a challenge.

Good woman! I quit sugar for a year (about 10 years ago) and it totally changed my life and allergies. I could eat dairy with no side effects! I am now back on the sugar-free life since a few months ago, and within one month of doing it I had lost the after-baby belly bulge that was hanging around like a bad smell. Yes, it is good to be prepared for the cravings. I eat fatty food snacks to beat off the cravings, like a slice of cheese or a handful of nuts or a cup of hot cocoa (just cocoa and full-cream milk, no sugar. I find that milk itself is sweet enough).
Sarah Wilson is also doing it, she has a book “A sweet 8-week program, recipes, shopping list, tricks, $15 The I Quit Sugar ebook”http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2011/11/we-quit-sugar-and-this-is-what-has-happened/
Go Fiona go!

I never was a sweets person as a youngster, but the older I get the more I love sugar! I agree that dried fruits are an excellent option, depending on what you mean by giving up sugar. I try to fill up on savories to avoid the cravings, but then again I love chips, crackers, and bread. Not a great alternative! Best of luck and I’m looking forward to a savory slice : )

Oh man, I realized last night that I’ve started with a really bad sugar habit – having been brought up on a strictly healthy diet which left me with zero sweet teeth, I now eat something sweet after every evening meal…!

GOOD LUCK on your plight; I hope that it will inspire me to do the same 😉

Cass

Fiona, you won’t be sorry. I have done it and have made up for the lack of sugar with fat. I love it! I feel so much better without sugar. I found Sarah Wilson’s blog a HUGE help. And the David Gillespie book, “Sweet Poison” was a great help.

It might be a bit tricky for the first few days (I had a sugar withdrawal headache), but it is so worthwhile.

Greg Twemlow

Karina

November 21, 2011 at 12:10 pm

I also stumbled across Sarah Wilson’s blog recently and the no-sugar thing has fascinated me. To think that just over 150 years ago we consumed almost no added sugar and today we eat more than 1kg a week! I too eat sugar everyday, crave it and need it to keep me going in the afternoons.

But after reading Sarah’s blog, e-book then picking up a book from the Kiama library called ‘Sweet Poison’ by David Gillespie, I am definitely doing her 8 week quit plan. I have already cut back on my sugar intake this past week (with some headaches) but am looking at doing the full 8 week plan after Christmas.

Fiona, if you would like to borrow the ‘Sweet Poison’ book from the library I have finished it and can pass it to you.

Cheddar cheese is my ‘sugar addiction’. After 5 weeks, I reckon I have halved my cheese intake but I am still drawn to it like a moth to a flame! I can have chocolate cupcakes sitting on a plate but would go for cheese every time! I guess is it dairy, though…

I have just found your blog and made the Lazy Lady slice yesterday – I gave it to my Uni daughter to take back to the city with her.
Good luck with it!

SB

November 22, 2011 at 10:41 am

woah. that’s big. Too big for me at the moment but I will applaud you for every day that you can stick with it. And there’ll be no judgement if you slip. honest. I’m impressed you are starting it at this point of the year 🙂 Best wishes 🙂

Mel

November 22, 2011 at 6:36 pm

Hello my name is Mel and i am a sugar addict, !! i have been sugar free for 3 hours but that may change in the next 30 minutes. I feel a small sense of triumph even with those few hours. I will watch your journey and applaud each step, Good luck